Quantum transport in carbon nanotubes

• Published in: Reviews of modern physics Vol. 87; no. 3; pp. 703 - 764
• Main Authors: Laird, Edward A., Kuemmeth, Ferdinand, Steele, Gary A., Grove-Rasmussen, Kasper, Nygård, Jesper, Flensberg, Karsten, Kouwenhoven, Leo P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 28-07-2015
• Subjects: Carbon; Degrees of freedom; Disorders; Electronics; Mathematical analysis; Nanostructure; Semiconductors; Valleys
• ISSN: 0034-6861; 1539-0756
• DOI: 10.1103/RevModPhys.87.703

Carbon nano-tubes with multifunctional capabilities are prime candidates for quantum wires for use in a variety of novel electronic devices. Unlike conventional semiconductor nano-wires, electrons confined to nano-tubes have two angular momentum quantum numbers from spin and valley degrees of freedom. This review describes the energy levels associated with the interplay of each of these degrees of freedom and how the spin-orbit interaction affects electronic transport through single and multiple quantum dots created by external field gating. The emphasis on experimental evidence provides essential concepts which are placed into context with recent theoretical advances such as on electron-electron interactions in one dimension. This review takes an experimental perspective informed by recent advances in theory. As well as the well-understood overall picture, open questions for the field are also clearly stated. These advances position nano-tubes as a leading system for the study of spin and valley physics in one dimension where electronic disorder and hyperfine interaction can both be reduced to a low level.